Craig Steve Lyle

An hour before sunset on January 4th 2014 Craig Steven Lyle said goodbye to family and friends at an outdoor gathering on the mountain. Craig pointed his bicycle down a familiar trail and did what he had done all his life...he rode like the wind. On this day... amidst the shadows of twilight in the 54th year of his life his ride ended with his passing. His lonely bike stood nearby...like a saddled horse standing over a fallen rider after a long journey.

Craig Lyle was born October 3, 1959 in Millington Tennessee the first child of Marine Corp Flight Radar Operator Gerald Lyle and Adele Lyle. Gerald raised his family while serving a long career as a Marine and held the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant at retirement. Adele worked for the city of Orange and also participated in a family business called Lyle Industries.

The Lyle family moved to Orange California in 1959. Craig graduated from Villa Park High School in 1977. He continued his education at the University of California Fullerton. He earned a B.A. Degree in Finance in 1982 and followed with an M.B.A. Degree in Finance in 1983.

Craig married the love of his life Karla Mitchell on September 1, 1991. They began to build their dream home in the west hills of Central Point in 1992. They have two beautiful children. Their son Rawly Lyle, 18, is a 2013 graduate of St Mary's High School in Medford Oregon and is presently serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cali Colombia. Their daughter Aven Lyle, 17, is a student at St. Mary's High School.

Following two decades of work in the retail and wholesale mortgage industry, Craig joined the CMG Mortgage Insurance Company in 2007 as Account Executive for the Northwest Territory. His work required frequent travel in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Craig was gifted with a robust athletic ability, which combined with a strong and disciplined tolerance for arduous physical training to make him a successful competitor in any sporting endeavor he chose to try. He was a road bike racer for 20 years and after retiring from competitive bike racing he continued to ride and challenge himself on a bicycle on trials and roads throughout the western United States.

Craig also had a lifelong passion for alpine skiing. He seemed to have a powerful innate connection with the mountains. On snow was where his smile was the brightest. A perfect day for Craig was any day on the mountain with blue skies, crisp groomed snow, and the company of family and friends.

Craig had a generous volunteer spirit throughout his life. His volunteerism was manifest over his last few years as a leader in the youth skiing community. Craig served the last two years as the president of the Medford Ski Education Foundation. Craig served countless hours on the mountain helping teach kids to ski and race. High school ski races will not be the same without his optimistic smile and commanding presence.

Craig is survived by his wife Karla Joanne, his two children Rawlings Everett and Aven Elizabeth, and his Father and Mother Gerald and Adele Lyle. He is also survived by his younger brother Brian Lyle and his wife Carol of Encinitas California and nephews and nieces Ryan, Christina, and Kevin Lyle, along with Tanner, Tarren, and Tallen Mitchell.

Memorial services for Craig Lyle will be held Friday January 10, 2014 at 11:00am. The services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints located a 3456 Bellinger Lane Medford Oregon.